| Surrendering Your Pet
At Noah's Ark, we understand what a difficult decision this is for a pet guardian. We know often times families have exhausted all other roads to living happily with their pet. Please consider reviewing the following material BEFORE calling Noah's Ark to surrender your pet.
Allergies:
Help when you're not around:
Re-homing a Pet
New Baby in the Home:
Moving to a New Home:
Trouble Affording Veterinary Care:
Noah's Ark is a private shelter that is often referred to as a "no kill" facility. This means that we do not euthanize an animal to make space for a new one coming in. We often operate at full capacity meaning we have no space to take in a pet on short notice. Here is the general process for owners who need to surrender their pets. Because we don't euthanize animals, it is also important for us to use our resources wisely and we limit the number of special needs animals or animals with serious behavioral problems that we take in. Noah's Ark is not a sanctuary or a facility where animals can live out their lives and be cared for. Noah's Ark is a shelter that provides temporary care until a permanent loving home can be found for that animal. While we are passionate about helping every animal, we want to provide only the best possible care for the animals awaiting adoption and this sometimes means that we are not able to immediately take animals in.
STEP 1: Review the material above and make sure you have considered every other alternative to surrendering your pet. Noah's Ark would be happy to refer you to a veterinarian, trainer, pet sitter, boarding facility or pet day care if it means that you'll be able to keep your pet happily in your home.
STEP 2: In order to surrender your pet, you’ll need to call the shelter at 973-347-0378 and speak to or leave a message for a staff member about making an appointment to surrender your pet. Messages are checked frequently so if a live person doesn't answer the phone, please leave a message and speak your phone number clearly. Sometimes we are able to take in your pet right away. If we are able to schedule an appointment with you right away, please bring all of your pet’s veterinary records with you so we know what shots we will need to update, if any. THERE IS A FEE TO SURRENDER YOUR PET. The fee is based on the amount of care that we have to provide (e.g. spay/neuter surgery, shots, etc.) This will help to ensure the health of your pet while they are waiting to be re-homed.
If we are not able to make an appointment right away for you to surrender your pet, we will put you on a waiting list and call you the moment a space becomes available. Be proactive about finding a new home while you are on the waiting list: Guidelines for Finding a Responsible Home for your Pet. Check out Petfinder.com for other shelters and rescue groups in your area that may be able to help.
Please keep in mind that just because a shelter is not a "no kill" facility does not mean your pet is going to be put to sleep. If your pet is adoptable, it will likely find a new home quickly and if you need to give up your pet this may be an easier and faster way to go about it. If your pet has behavioral problems or serious health problems, you may have trouble finding a facility that has the resources to take care of your pet until they can be adopted.
If you have questions about your specific circumstances or how Noah's Ark can help your pet, please call (973) 347-0378 or email the Shelter Manager directly. |
